On Thursday, July 2, Chicago Department of Public Health Commissioner Allison Arwady, M.D., issued an Emergency Travel Order directing travelers entering or returning to Chicago from states experiencing a surge in new COVID-19 cases to quarantine for a 14-day period from the time of last contact within the identified state. This includes both Chicago residents returning from travel to a designated state, and travelers arriving in Chicago from a designated state. The Order went into effect on Monday July 6, 2020, at 12:01am. Below you will find answers to common questions regarding the Emergency Travel Order and how it applies to Chicago residents and visitors.
States Currently Covered by the Order
As of July 6th, travelers from the following states should quarantine upon arrival in Chicago: Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Nevada, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Utah. These states will be updated every Tuesday, starting July 14th and in effect the following Friday.
Why is this order being issued and what does it mean?
In response to increased and high rates of COVID-19 transmission in certain states within the United States, and to add to Chicago’s efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19, the City is issuing an order applicable to anyone coming into the City from designated states that have a significant degree of community-wide spread of COVID-19. This includes both Chicago residents returning from travel to a designated state, and travelers arriving in Chicago from a designated state. Anyone traveling from a designated state is directed to self-quarantine for a 14-day period or the duration of their time in Chicago, whichever is shorter, from the time of last contact within the designated state, subject to the limited exceptions outlined in the ‘Exceptions tab’.
This Order goes into effect on Monday July 6, 2020, at The Order applies to individuals arriving in the City of Chicago, while they are in the city. The city limits are defined in this interactive map.A state will be designated if it has a case rate greater than 15 new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 resident population, per day, over a 7-day rolling average.
As of July 2, 2020, the following states are included:
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- Arizona
- California
- Florida
- Georgia
- Idaho
- Louisiana
- Mississippi
- North Carolina
- Nevada
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
The list of states will be reviewed and amended every Tuesday, starting July 14, 2020, with the order effective for those states the following Friday (three days later).
Travelers coming from international locations are not covered by this Order and should follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines.
Individuals who live outside Chicago but regularly commute into Chicago for work can continue to do so as usual if they have not traveled to a high incidence state. If they have traveled to a high incidence state, they are subject to the “essential worker” conditions and requirements for Chicago residents set forth in this FAQ in order to not have to quarantine.
The Order will be in effect until further notice, and any changes will be based on applicable public health guidance.
Individuals found in violation of the Order are subject to fines of $100 – $500 per day, up to $7,000.
The Order and its effects will be communicated through messaging on highways, at airports, on the City’s website, and through social media. Hotels and short-term rentals will be asked to communicate the 14-day quarantine to guests who have traveled from one of the designated states.